Act 3, Scene 3: "A Street" Notes from Much Ado about Nothing

Much Ado about Nothing Act 3, Scene 3: "A Street"

Dogberry, the comic relief of this comedy, with his second-hand man Verges, and the night watchmen, walk in the streets of Messina and discuss the duties of the watchmen. Dogberry is in charge and humorously explains the intricacies of the job. He allows sleep if needed and tells the watchmen to be on guard for the prince. He also warns them that there may be extra special trouble this night because of Hero's wedding the next morning.

A drunk Borachio walks onstage looking for Conrade. They are still in the street, so the night watchmen look and listen to Borachio speaking with Conrade. Borachio proudly explains his villainy to his friend and of how he earned a thousand ducats from Don John the Bastard by bringing Margaret to Hero's window during a moment of passion, while the prince and Claudio looked on. "I tell this tale vilely: - I should first tell thee how the prince, Claudio, and my master, planted and placed and possessed by my master Don John, saw afar off in the orchard this amiable encounter" Act 3, Scene 3, lines 156-160. After Borachio admits to his crime with pride, the night watchmen capture Borachio and Conrade in the name of the prince and place them under arrest.